By Jessica L. Knouse
Hanover’s arts scene, while modest in scale, is marked by a deep appreciation for artistic expression, a commitment to fostering local talent and creating opportunities for artistic engagement to enrich the cultural fabric for its residents.
Business owners, residents and volunteers have been busy cultivating this vibrant local arts scene that reflects both the town’s heritage and its creativity. From tattoo shops to performance theaters, this quaint community has increasingly become a hub for artistic expression, offering a range of cultural experiences including the visual arts, multimedia craftsmanship and performance art.
The Glass Turtle Studio
The Glass Turtle Glass Studio is a distinctive destination that combines artistry, craftsmanship and community engagement. This unique studio is dedicated to the art of Tiffany-style stained glass, offering visitors a chance to experience the beauty and intricacy of this craft firsthand.
Owned and operated by Colleen and Forest Webb, The Glass Turtle specializes in stained glass courses, featuring opportunities to create panel glass pieces or suncatchers. With more than 13 years of experience teaching stained glass craftsmanship, Colleen encourages guests to connect with a deeper, more authentic part of the self during the creation of glass artwork. “I look at art as a great way to relieve stress,” she says. “It’s a way to teach people to do something new and be proud of themselves. [Artwork] is a gateway for people to express themselves.”
Colleen’s extensive and professional background lends itself to quality instruction, focusing on generating custom pieces and teaching others how to create custom glass pieces. She studied design at Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science and learned how to create stained glass pieces in a now-shuttered shop in Maryland. “I immediately fell in love with the medium of glass. I have always loved shiny things since I was a child,” she says.
Stained glass classes are offered on a rotating basis every other month, with schedules posted online on the studio’s website. Class sizes are kept small and intimate to maximize the artists’ experience and may run from anywhere from $65 to 150, depending on the project. Because safety with working with glass is paramount, the courses are offered to participants ages 18 and older.
Located in downtown Hanover, The Glass Turtle stands out as a creative haven for artists and enthusiasts alike, featuring art for purchase by local craftsmen or course instruction. For more information about courses or displaying art at The Glass Turtle, contact Colleen directly via Facebook or Instagram. “I try to support local artists and keep [the art]as local as possible or at least feature fair trade items,” she says.
The Glass Turtle Studio
16 York St., Hanover
The Eichelberger Performing Arts Center
The Eichelberger Performing Arts Center is a modern cornerstone of the region’s cultural and artistic landscape with its inception as a performing arts center in 1998. Situated in the heart of Hanover, this historic venue has been a vibrant hub for performing arts since its opening, offering a diverse range of performances catering to audiences of all ages and interests. Known for its rich history in education and philanthropy, the Eichelberger provides a unique and engaging experience for locals and visitors alike.
Exciting new updates accompany the 2024 performing arts season, including a $1 million renovation project that upgraded guest amenities and theater equipment. New, custom seats with increased width, based on the Royal Opera House in London, are included in this upgrade, as well as new carpeting and renovations in the orchestra and balcony areas. A brand new, state-of-the-art sound system has been installed to enhance the experiences of audiences and performers.
What makes the Eichelberger Performing Arts Center special? It’s the role it plays in the community according to David Adler, the center’s executive director. “We’re a fabric of the community in that we embrace the needs of the community,” he says. “We’re the venue for Hanover Symphony Orchestra, the location of the Miss Hanover Area pageant and the Nutcracker collaboration with the Carroll County Dance Center.” The Eichelberger also hosts a wide variety of musical and theater offerings, like tribute performances to notorious musical acts like Elton John, Queen, Taylor Swift, Led Zeppelin, Billy Joel and more. And this upcoming season, guests can catch a show with famous comediennes Jane Lynch and Vicki Lawrence.
Not only does the Eichelberger feature a broad range of acts, it does so at affordable prices. “We want to make these experiences more accessible to all, so we’ll sometimes offer experiences at below-market prices,” explains David. Tickets can be purchased online at the Eichelberger Performing Arts Center website with minimal ticketing fees. Guests may purchase tickets on a one-time basis or explore opportunities to become Eichelberger “members” in the Eich Club, which reserves seats for members at each show and offers VIP experiences.
This nonprofit organization also offers special event venue rental opportunities with its Conservatory, an event space with a maximum of 60 people, for baby showers, weddings showers, business meetings or other special events.
To rent the space, inquire about becoming a sponsor or Eich Club member, or get in touch with someone regarding questions for upcoming shows, contact the Box Office at boxoffice@theeich.org.
Eichelberger Performing Arts Center
195 Stock St., Suite 205, Hanover
717-637-7086
Hanover Area Arts Guild
Central to Hanover’s arts scene is the Hanover Arts Guild (known colloquially as “the Guild”), a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the visual and performing arts. Founded in 1976, the Guild provides a platform for local artists through its gallery, which features a rotating schedule of exhibitions highlighting regional talent. The Guild also organizes workshops, classes and community events that engage the community in the arts.
The Guild reflects a deep appreciation for the visual and performing arts within the Hanover community and beyond. It has grown from a small collective of local artists into a respected cultural institution renowned for its diverse range of artistic programs and community outreach efforts. “We’re really proud of being the only downtown nonprofit arts organization in Hanover,” shares Julie Miller, Guild president. “It’s a good way for people to see fine arts and crafts in downtown.”
This gallery features both displayed artwork for purchase, as well as educational classes in the fine arts. Upcoming classes and workshops include lessons in watercolor and acrylic painting, and participants may register online, with special discounts available to Guild members.
Exhibits are rotated monthly, displaying artwork and crafts of Guild members and sometimes special artists. In the spring 2025, for example, the gallery will exclusively feature artwork by students at Southwestern Area High School as a special project in both art display and gallery management. “The Guild is open to everyone,” Julie says. In addition to featuring traditional canvas art, the Guild would like to include pieces from potters, fiber artists and crafts art in upcoming gallery rotations, she says. Indeed, the Guild is an exciting place to experience the talent of local artists and participate in creative expression.
For questions regarding the Guild, please feel to stop by, call during regular hours at 717-632-2521 or email at info@hanoverareaarts.com.
Hanover Area Arts Guild
32 Carlisle St., Hanover
717-632-2521
Chloe Ward: Bonehead Art
Chloe Ward is a fascinating artist with an impressive history of working in various media and modalities, including marketing materials, curations, fabrications, sculpture, canvas art, murals and even tattooing. Originally from Pamplona, Spain, Chloe has been perfecting her craft and technique since graduating from the University of Alabama in 2018. While not originally from the area, Chloe has a real affection for the community. “Hanover has been a very lovely town that fuels a lot of small businesses and encourages a community spirit that I wish to help promote,” she says.
Bonehead Art evokes a playful yet edgy approach to art, reflecting Chloe’s distinctive style. Her work often features bold colors, graphic patterns and a mix of media. Chloe’s art has been exhibited in various galleries and art spaces, including the Gadsden Museum of Art in Alabama. You may also see Chloe’s mural work in Abbottstown, Dillsburg and Maryland. Most recently, she has had the honor of assisting the York County Rail Trail Authority by producing video content for their events, donations and outreach projects.
Chloe’s contributions to the local art scene are truly unique and special, and they highlight the importance of artistic experimentation and the power of visual storytelling.
She’s has worked alongside notable designers and artists such as Brian Correy, Everett Coxs and Chris Taylor—to name a few—and she says her work is “influenced by learning new cultural experiences and how we push the boundaries of knowledge and skills.”
At present, Chloe is focusing on her mural work and tattoo art. “By far, the most rewarding art I’ve done has been tattooing,” she says, “due to the personable nature of the work. Being able to get to know my clients and give them a memorable piece that will last a lifetime is a unique experience.” While she’s currently available at her studio in Hanover, Chloe shares the exciting news that a sister shop will soon open in Gettysburg in 2025.
To schedule an appointment with Chloe or one of the talented artists at Bonehead Art, contact her via her website at bonehead-art.com.
Bonehead Art
256-479-5565
COB51 Art Studio
COB51 Art Studio is a creative space that stands out for its focus on “having fun with the arts,” as co-owner Lisa Martin explains. Established by Lisa and co-owned now by Lisa Bowers, the goal of COB51 is to foster artistic expression and provide a platform for artists of all ages and abilities to engage with the arts in various forms and formats.
The studio hosts a diverse range of art experiences, including painting, custom laser-cut wood signage, mosaics, stained glass, ceramics and glassblowing. COB51 often hosts art classes and events that cater to emerging and established artists and has programming for children and adults. Art classes are offered regularly, and schedules can be viewed online at cob51.com. Class prices range from $25 to $85.
COB51 Art Studio also emphasizes the importance of accessibility and inclusivity in the arts, striving to create an environment where artists from various backgrounds and skill levels can thrive. “I love being able to make people smile,” says Lisa Martin. “Little kids are so excited to paint something special, and even if it looks like a bunch of blobs, they think it’s the best thing they’ve ever done.” COB51 also provides plenty of walk-in access to its studio activities. “We have a large inventory of ceramics, for example,” Lisa says, “and we have plenty of space for walk-ins, even if we’re hosting a private party.”
Speaking of private parties, COB51 is available for private events like baby showers, bridal showers, bachelorette parties, birthday parties, team-building activities and more.
The studio also plays a role in supporting local nonprofits. “We host fundraisers and provide all of the supplies, set-up, instruction and host the ticketing platform. All organizations have to do is promote their event, and then we donate 20% of the profits from that event back to the organization,” Lisa explains.
Stop in to COB51 to expand your own creative horizons and make memories. “I hope that somewhere down the line, in about 25 years,” Lisa says, “someone will point to the building and say, ‘I used to go there as a kid!’”
COB51 Art Studio
48 Carlisle St., Hanover
717-640-1674
Hanover Little Theatre
The Hanover Little Theatre is a cherished community theater that has been entertaining audiences since 1949. Originally a two-room schoolhouse, the theater is now dedicated to providing high-quality theatrical productions that showcase a wide range of performances, but their mainstays are comedies and musicals. “We like to host shows that our audiences seem to enjoy,” says Heidi Hormel, second vice president of the Hanover Little Theatre.
The theater is known for its intimate setting and boasts a recent seating upgrade that features wider, more comfortable seating for guests. The air-conditioned, 106-seat theater allows for a close connection between performers and audience members, and a new sound system enhances the experience for all guests, including those who may be hearing impaired.
To purchase tickets for performances, guests can visit the website up to two weeks in advance prior to any show. “We often have sold-out shows,” Heidi explains, so it’s encouraged that attendees purchase tickets in advance. For the most accurate and up-to-date information on ticketing procedures, including any special policies or accessibility options, it’s always a good idea to check the theater’s website or phone the Box Office. Additionally, theater enthusiasts can sign up for The Ad Lib, the Hanover Little Theatre monthly newsletter, which features announcements about auditions, volunteer opportunities, ticket sales and general theater announcements and information. To sign up for the newsletter, email to info@hanoverlittletheatre.com.
The Hanover Little Theatre is fully run by volunteers who act and manage the theater and its productions. Because the theater is a nonprofit organization, it’s important to note that playbill ads may be purchased by local businesses and individuals, or donations can be made directly to the Hanover Little Theatre online.
Volunteer actors ages 18 and older make up the entirety of every performance, as Heidi tell us, and “people do not need to have any experience to audition for a performance role.” Overall, the volunteer opportunities at the Hanover Little Theatre aim to nurture talent and foster a love for the performing arts within the community.
The Hanover Little Theatre also gives back to the local community through regular fundraising initiatives. For the first Saturday evening performance of the month, the theater donates $2 per ticket sold; an anonymous donor donates $2 per ticket sold; and Sommer & O’Donnel Attorneys at Law donates another $2 per ticket sold—making it a $6-per-ticket donation to local nonprofit organizations.
With its rich history as a performing arts venue and commitment to artistic excellence, the Hanover Little Theatre continues to be a place for creativity and entertainment. It is truly a space for people to experience the magic of live theater and for theater enthusiasts to volunteer and bring shows to life.
Hanover Little Theatre
360 Blooming Grove Road, Hanover
717-637-5297
